There were ugly scenes outside Newcastle courthouse on Thursday afternoon after disgraced NRL star Jarryd Hayne was jailed for raping a woman in the Hunter Region in 2018.
A group who appeared to be supporters of Hayne got physical with credentialled photographers and camera operators, resorting to pushing, shoving and verbal abuse.
One of the men in the group verbally abused the prosecution team - including the woman Hayne raped - as they left the courthouse, finishing his tirade by spitting in their direction before sheriffs confronted him.
This man was also seen repeatedly verbally abusing a television reporter, calling her a derogatory name.
Detective Inspector Eugene Stek, a former Sex Crimes Squad investigator involved in the Hayne case, condemned the behaviour of the group.
"It's a reflection on them, it was absolutely disgraceful and disgusting," he said.
Hayne was on Thursday afternoon jailed for five years and nine months, with a non parole period of three years and eight months.
